The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c7.s8.232

c7.s8.232

For the next three or four years nothing of importance is recorded in the Konkan, the war between the Maráthás and Aurangzeb being carried on chiefly in the Dakhan. The Bijápur kingdom had ceased to exist, and though the Moghals had succeeded to its possession yet they had no reason for valuing the Southern Konkan so highly as the Ádil Sháhi dynasty had done. Sambháji spent his time between Panhála Vishalgad and Sangameshvar, and being given up to sensual pleasures was at last abandoned by Sultán Akbar, who in October 1688 found at Rájápur a ship commanded by an Englishman, and sailed in her to Persia about the middle of 1689.⁸ A small party of Moghal cavalry set off from Kolhápur and having got close to Sangameshvar before the alarm was given, succeeded in capturing Sambháji. Kháfi Khán says that he had two or three thousand horse with him, and was told of the approach of the hostile force, which consisted of two thousand horse and a thousand foot, but would not believe it.¹ Only two or three hundred of them surprised Sambháji, and Kalusha with a party of Maráthás tried to save him, and was himself wounded, while Sambháji hid himself in a temple. When found he was immediately carried off to the Emperor's camp above the Gháts, and there put to death a few days afterwards.²